2012-23010. Proposed Renewal of Existing Information Collection; Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines)

AGENCY:

Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor.

ACTION:

Request for public comments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This program helps to assure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration is soliciting comments concerning the extension of the information collection for 30 CFR 75.1100-3, 75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii), 75.1103-8(b) and (c), 75.1103-11, 75.1501(a)(3), and 75.1502(a) and (b). OMB last approved this information collection request on January 8, 2010. The package expires on January 31, 2013.

DATES:

All comments must be postmarked or received by midnight Eastern Time on November 19, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Comments concerning the information collection requirements of this notice must be clearly identified with “OMB 1219-0054” and sent to both the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Comments to MSHA may be sent by any of the methods listed below.

• Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments.
• Facsimile: 202-693-9441, include “OMB 1219-0054” in the subject line of the message.
• Regular Mail or Hand Delivery: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. For hand delivery, sign in at the receptionist's desk on the 21st floor.

Comments to OMB may be sent by mail addressed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attn: Desk Officer for MSHA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Greg Moxness, Chief, Economic Analysis Division, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at [e-mail] (email); 202-693-9440 (voice); or 202-693-9441 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Fire protection standards for underground coal mines are based on section 311(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act). 30 CFR 75.1100 requires that each coal mine be provided with suitable firefighting equipment adapted for the size and conditions of the mine, and that the Secretary of Labor shall establish minimum requirements of the type, quality, and quantity of such equipment. 30 CFR 75.1100-3 requires that chemical fire extinguishers be examined every 6 months and that the date of the examination be recorded on a permanent tag attached to the extinguisher.

30 CFR 75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii) requires that a map or schematic be updated within 24 hours of any change in the locations of automatic fire warning sensors and the intended air flow direction at these locations. This map or schematic would be kept at a manned surface location where personnel have an assigned post of duty. This provision is added to this information collection from 1219-0145.

30 CFR 75.1103-8(a) requires that a qualified person examine the automatic fire sensor and warning device systems on a weekly basis and conduct a functional test of the complete system at least once every seven days. Section 75.1103-8(b) requires that a record of the weekly automatic fire sensor functional tests be maintained by the mine operator and kept for a period of one year. 30 CFR 75.1103-8(c) requires that sensors be calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer's calibration instructions at intervals not to exceed 31 days. Records of the sensor calibrations must be maintained by the operator and kept for a period of one year. These last two provisions are added to this information collection from 1219-0145.

30 CFR 75.1103-11 requires that each fire hydrant and hose be tested at least once a year and the records of those tests be maintained at an appropriate location.

30 CFR 75.1501(a)(3) requires the operator to certify that each responsible person is trained and that the certification is maintained at the mine for at least one year.

30 CFR 75.1502 requires each mine operator to adopt and follow a mine evacuation and firefighting program of instruction that addresses all mine emergencies created as a result of a fire, an explosion, or a gas or water inundation. In addition, this section requires mine operators to submit this program of instruction, and any revisions, to MSHA for its approval and to train miners regarding the use of the program of instruction, and any revisions to such program of instruction, after it is approved by MSHA.

This information collection addresses the recordkeeping associated with:

75.1100-3	Condition and examination of fire fighting equipment.
75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii)	Automatic fire warning devices; actions and response.
75.1103-8(b) & (c)	Automatic fire sensor and warning device systems; examination and test requirements.
75.1103-11	Tests of fire hydrants and fire hose; record of tests.
75.1501(a)(3)	Emergency evacuations.
75.1502(a) & (b)	Mine emergency evacuation and firefighting program of instruction.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the information collection related to this safety standard on records of fire protection in underground coal mines. MSHA is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the MSHA's estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
• Suggest methods to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Address the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses) to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond.

The public may examine publicly available documents, including the public comment version of the supporting statement, at MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, Room 2350, Arlington, VA 22209-3939. OMB clearance requests are available on MSHA's Web site at http://www.msha.gov under “Rules & Regs” on the right side of the screen by selecting Information Collections Requests, Paperwork Reduction Act Supporting Statements. The document will be available on MSHA's Web site for 60 days after the publication date of this notice. Comments submitted in writing or in electronic form will be made available for public inspection. Because comments will not be edited to remove any identifying or contact information, MSHA cautions the commenter against including any information in the submission that should not be publicly disclosed. Questions about the information collection requirements may be directed to the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.

III. Current Actions

The information obtained from mine operators is used by MSHA during inspections to determine compliance with safety and health standards. MSHA has updated the data with respect to the number of respondents and responses, as well as the total burden hours and burden costs supporting this information collection extension request.

Summary

Type of Review: Extension.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Fire Protection (Underground Coal Mines).

OMB Number: 1219-0054.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.1100-3, 75.1103-5(a)(2)(ii), 75.1103-8(b) and (c), 75.1103-11, 75.1501(a)(3), and 75.1502(a) and (b).

Total Number of Respondents: 549.

Frequency: Various.

Total Number of Responses: 294,618.

Total Burden Hours: 54,809 hours.

Total Annual Cost Burden: $693.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Dated: September 13, 2012.

George F. Triebsch,

Certifying Officer.